Barrel Re-boring

[grry10]

I have a 700 Remington Classic in 30-06 that I thinking about converting to a 338-06 or 35 Whelen. Does anyone have any experience with barrels that have been re-bored?

 

[DrMike]

You might find it easier and more acceptable to rebarrel rather than to rebore. In the greater scheme of things, a premium barrel doesn't cost that much compared to what you are getting.

 

[JD338]

You might find it easier and more acceptable to rebarrel rather than to rebore. In the greater scheme of things, a premium barrel doesn't cost that much compared to what you are getting.

+1

Get a decent barrel, blueprint the action and you will have a nice shooting rifle. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable gunsmith.

JD338

 

[BK]

Check here.

http://www.deltagunshop.com/

I think the only time I would have a barrel rebored is if it is of a configuration that is not easily duplicated, such as quarter ribs or integral front sights. Otherwise, I would rather have a better quality barrel (my first choice would be PacNor, but that has more to do with proximity than anything else).

 

[DrMike]

Pac-Nor makes a great barrel. I've shot quite a few of them on Borden actions. In fact, I broke in two great rifles yesterday, one in 300 WM and one in 338 WM, each with a Pac-Nor barrel. One half inch groups on each with factory ammunition. The 338 just loved Federal ammunition with 225 grain AB. Again, in the greater scheme of things, rebarreling presents the preferable approach in my estimate.

 

[FOTIS]

One guy comes to mind for reboring. Cliff Labounty in Washington state. I do not know if he is still in the bizz though.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Boring usually costs more then a new premium barrel. Chanlyn here in Colorado, and Lawson in Montana can rebore a barrel. Actually, anyone who makes a cut rifle barrel, thing Krieger, Obmyer, border, can bore a barrel Basically, to rebore a rifle, they put it on the same maching they use for making single point, cut rifle barrels. This is generally considered the best way to rifle a barrel. Unlike the button method, no stress is created during the process. It takes them just as much time, if not more, to bore a barrel, as it does make a new one. So if you have to work with one the best barrel makers in america to begin with, you might as well go ahead and get a world class barrel, on a printed actions, in a bedded stock, and shoot some groups that will make you want to learn how to post pictures :wink:

 

[BK]

One guy comes to mind for reboring. Cliff Labounty in Washington state. I do not know if he is still in the bizz though.

I believe that Dubell from Delta Gun Shop bought LaBounty.

 

[Powerstroke]

+1 With JD,

That conversion can easily be performed with a new barrel and I'm sure fairly reasonable.
Also as JD stated and I can not stress enough.... ensure you are dealing with a reputable Smith.

 

[grry10]

Thanks for the feedback, it looks like a new barrel will be in order.

Now besides find a qualified gunsmith I have to address the big question, 338-06 or 35 Whelen.

 

[DrMike]

That is a whole different can of worms!

I have a 35 Whelen, and my hunting partner uses a 338-06. Both are great calibres, and you wouldn't be disappointed with either. Headstamped brass for the 338-06 is more expensive than is appropriately headstamped brass for the 35 Whelen. Bullet selection is better for the 338-06 than for the 35 Whelen. The Whelen is perhaps a more efficient cartridge. Long story short--you won't go wrong with either cartridge.

 

[BK]

I'm not harping on you doc, but just how many bullets does one need? In .35 caliber you have:
225 and 250 Partitions
225 AccuBond
200 and 225 TSX
225, 250, and 280 Swift A-Frame
180 and 200 Speer FN
250 Speer Spitzer
200 Sierra ProHunter RN
225 Sierra GameKing SBT
225 Trophy Bonded (in factory loads)
180 Hornady SSP
200 and 250 Hornady SP
200 and 250 Hornady RN
200 Hornady FTX
200, 225, 250 and 270 North Fork Bonded Core
225, 250 and 310 Woodleigh Weldcore SN
225 and 310 Woodleigh solids
180, 200, 250, 265, 275, and 300 gr Hawk in round tip, flatnose and spitzer shapes with a choice of jacket thicknesses.
Plus you can shoot .357 Mag/.38 Special bullets for cheap practice or varmint hunting.

Probably more I'm missing, but you get the point. How much is enough?

 

[DrMike]

Hey, no argument from me. Your point is well taken. Having said that, I hasten to point out that I happen to like the 35s. I have a few in my gun safe (at least six), and it would grieve me to ever be without a 35 calibre. However, there has been more focus both on bullet development and cartridge development for the 33s than for the 35s during the past several decades. It is a fact that bullet selection for the 33s is greater. The availability in the average gun store bears this out, as there are likely to be a greater selection of 33 calibre bullets available than 35 calibre bullets.

Consequently, I have most of the bullets you list (at least 19 different 35 calibre bullets on my reloading shelf) and use them in load development. I like the Whelen, I'm waiting on a new Hawkeye chambered in 35 Whelen. But I would not be disappointed to have a 338-06; and since I am a hand loader, I would not be at a disadvantage with that calibre.

 

[RogueRiver]

I use 250 Part. for elk and bear, and rem bulk 200 grn sp cl for deer. I did buy some 225 part this past year, just to see how they shoot.